New York Ed Chief Criticized For Canceling Forums

An assemblyman from Chenango County says New York Education Commissioner John King should not have canceled public forums on the Common Core curriculum.

Clifford Crouch, a Bainbridge Republican, says refusing to have an "open discussion" on the policy will "only fuel contempt and suspicion."

King scrapped plans for additional forums after a raucous meeting on the issue in Poughkeepsie.

The commissioner said it wasn't constructive to have a forum during which participants were "just yelling and heckling."

The state PTA had organized the series of forums to help New Yorkers learn more about new educational requirements.

Crouch said the move by King to cancel the sessions doesn't serve the state's residents or students. He called on the commissioner to reconsider his position and to reschedule the forums.